Closure for wall openings



Nov. 30,A 1937. w. R. WAY

CLOSURE FOR WALL OPENINGS Filed June 2l, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Tlillllilli |21 wal/'5e 2* LU@ Nov. 30, 1937. w. R. WAY 2,100,928

CLOSURE FOR WALL OPENINGS I Filed June 2l,A 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2,Dive-Wow wawe W75: Llkgy i i 3W/vw@ NOV. 30, W R` WAY 2,100,928

CLOSURE FOR WALL OPENINGS Filed June 21, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 J Miara@Patented Nov. 30, 1937 UNITED STATES ATi-:NT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in closures for wall openings.

More especially it relates to improved means for mounting, enframing andcontrolling open- 5 able closures in a Wall, the term Wall being usedherein in a broad sense whichincludes side walls, floors and ceilings ofbuilding structures, cars, boats, etc., and sides, tops and bottoms ofcontainers, cabinets andthe like. v Y l The invention will be describedherein as it may be employed in connection with doors, openable panelsand other closures set with the plane of the face of the panel flushwith the plane of the face of the wall. Such a panel may providelsaccess to equipment and apparatus of various descriptions such as, forexample, switches for a lighting or power system, and re extinguishingequipment; or, as another instance, the closure may be one whichembodies a lens or glass 20 for projecting or for disseminating light.

In the planning of structures, particularlyv building structures,rarely, if ever, can number, sizes, proportions, and locations ofopen-able closures be so maneuvered that the closures can be g treatedsuccessfully as parts of the general design, If they cannot be omittedentirely the one logical alternative is to suppress them so far as thisis physically possible. The objective is to carry the wall through withthe minimum of ap- 30 parent interruption, making the frame and thenecessary hardware invisible or as nearly invisible as possible.

In attempting to do this, however, there is one ever recurring conditionin particular that has 5 not been met satisfactorily. This is therelatively thin plate-type door mounted in a metal frame which, in turn,is to be set flush in plaster, terrazzo, concrete, or in other plasticmaterial,

Conspicuity of frame structure has been necessary 40 heretofore, whenthe frame has had to serve as a plaster retainer at theiace of the wall,and it has been desired to have a substantial thickness ofY plasterengaged back of a portion of the frame. Prior frame structures showingonly an inconspicuously thin edge at the plane of the wall face haveattained this only by sacrificing the desired plaster-retaining featureat and behind the wall face. But unless the plaster bordering the wall50 opening is Aadequately maintained by the frame, atA the wall face,shrinkage of the plaster may cause cracks in the plaster adjacent to theframe.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a closureframe which can efiectively contribute needed support for the borderingplaster, and which can be practically concealed by the plaster and theclosure element.

A feature resides in having a thin edged rim4 portion of the frame forproviding the desired metallic border around the closure, at the plane 5of the wall face, and for protectingzthe plaster there, which m-ay runup to the said bordering.` rim; also in having this thin rim extendingin continuity all around the opening, except Yfor a single joint whichmay be eiectively obscured, *l preferably at a corner.

Another feature resides in the provision Whereby w-all plaster mayextend back of the rabbeted. seat for the panel, and be held by the saidrab-Y beted portion of the frame. 15.

A further feature resides in a structure for the panel-seating portionof the frame whereby the said bordering rim may be accurately tted tothe panel by being wrapped around the panel during formation.

Another and important object is to provide an improved hinge mount for aclosure on my improved frame, having provision for' supporting theclosure from an accessible interior ,portion of the frame, and for theprojecting of the closure clear of its close fitting frame duringinitial opening movement, and for the maintaining of it n clear of theframe during an `opening travel through 180.

Another object is to combine such'a frame and hinges so that theY hingesnormally may be en-' tirely concealed, and so that the stresses incidenttomovement of the closure may be distributed through the full distanceof inward extent of the frame, thereby to relieve the outer frameregion, flanked by the plaster, from a concentration of these stresses.Y

These various objects and results may be attained by forming the frameas a wall-penetrating shell around whose forward edge extends a flangerabbet to receive the panel. This rabbet constitutes a seat for thepanel in a plane parallel to and close to the plane of the wall face;and the Wall of the rabbet is a thin surrounding rim that reachesforward to the face of the plaster wall. The rabbet seats the door,serves as a metal screed, or straight-edge, for plastering, andconstitutes a metal trim to bound, hold, confine and protect theplaster. In result, the plaster appears to be co-extensive with thebound and toY extend practically to the edge of the closure element, thethin metal rebate lending aVv much needed sharpness and iirmness ofdelimitation 'to. the plaster opening. j

The joint between plasterand-frame is thus made invisible and the frameis virtually concealed. And in the case of an infrequently openedclosure, the remaining joint between door and frame can be obscured witha suitable filler and be painted or papered over so as to be entirelyinvisible, although permitting opening of the closure in case of need.In cases where frequent openings of a closure may be usual, this jointcan be reduced soas to be practically unnoticeable.

Accuracy of iit of the panel within the rim may be assured by makingthat rim as a wrapping of metal around the panel, in the forming of theseat portion of the frame, especially in cases where the seat portion isformed as one part of a two-piece frame. The frame being thus fitted tothe particular panel, there is the further advantageous result that theedge of the rim has continuity in its extent around the seat, having buta single joint, and that at one corner. In such case the rear portion offrame may be welded to the flange or seat portion; or an inner framestructure of other material may be used.

The advantages ascribed to my improved frame may be utilized inrassociation with a hinged closure element only when the hinges havecertain peculiar and novel characteristics whereby they can functionco-operatively with the. frame. Prior hinges, so far as I am aware,cannot be employed with my frame because they are not properly offset.The hinge required must lie wholly within two co-ordinates, of which oneas a rule is located back of the inner face of the door and the other isspaced inward from the edge of the closure element enough to accommodateany particular rebate of the frame. The hinge must not cross either theordinate or the abscissa because the crossing would cause it to enterthe adjacent wall construction or the closure, neither of which ispermissible.

My improved hinge, which conforms to these spatial requirements, isattached to the back of the closure element and to the inside of the boxor frame. The hinge is invisible when the door is closed, and no cuttingof frame or of door is involved. The hinge becomes completely exposedwhen the door is opened, having no part buried in the wall construction.The weight and operating stresses of the door are delivered to the innerportions of the frame. It is an important feature that my hinge,regardless of tight fit of the closure element, will project the doorclear of its housing, and will permit its movement through 180 withoutdanger of its being obstructed, without injury to unit or to wall, andwithout possibility of its becoming stalled on dead center.

I employ a peculiar and novel link-suspension in the hinge. The hingelinks reach out to the panel from a base secured interiorly on theframe; and provision is made in the link connections so that the panelin opening, by pin-and-cam action, will be projected clear of its seat,and may be swung to wide open position, while held suspended by thelinks at a safe distance out from the frame, with the links guiding andcontrolling the lpanel movements.

It is intended that the patent shall cover, by suitable expression inthe appended claims, Whatever features of patentable novelty exist inthe invention disclosed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a portion of a plastered wall having a panelclosure for an opening therein, according to the present invention; Y

Figure 2 is an elevation,` in section Von'2--'2 of Figure 1,perpendicular to the face of the wall, on an enlarged scale, showing thepanel partially open;

Figure 3 is an elevation of a fragment, showing the device of the lowerportion of Figure 2 when the panel is open to a horizontal position;

Figure 4 is a plan of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing the panel in wideopen position;

Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 are elevations of fragments, in sectionperpendicular to the face of the wall, showing modified forms of wallframes for mounting a panel;

Figure 10 shows still another modication, be.- ing a wall or ceilingframe suitable for mounting glass lenses of a lighting system;

Figure 1l is an elevation of a fragment of the rabbet-flangep-anel-seating element of a wall frame, illustrating the constructionalmethod whereby right angular corners may be attained without breakingthe continuity of the visible, bordering rim thereof;

Figure 12 is an elevation, in section through a wooden door and doorframe, showing a slightly modified form of hinge applied thereto;

Figure 13 is an elevation, in section on I3-I3 of Figure 12; and

Figure 14 is an elevation, in section, showing a cam-clip type ofretaining and controlling means for a closure element.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1-5, the elementsI0, I2 may be parts of the frame structure of a wall, and lathing or itsequivalent is indicated at I4, with a suitable. thickness of plaster I6,or the like, surfacing the wall and mounted in a usual manner on thelathing I4.

The panel type closure element I8 is in the nature of a plane plate forclosing an opening 20 in the wall. This opening may be for any of avariety of purposes, one among which may be a chamber deep-set in thewall. In any case a frame is provided for mounting and seating thepanel; and hinges which are normally concealed, when the panel isclosed, are designed to permit an opening movement of the panel through180, without undesired restriction between the frame and vthe panel.

In Figures 1-5, the frame is shown as a onepiece metal structurecomprising a seat 22, marginal rim or bound 24 and sub-frame 2'6, whichmay be drawn, rolled or otherwise formed of one strip of metal, It is animportant feature of the invention that the rebated seat 22, 24 has theseat proper 22 standing close to the wall face and parallel thereto. Asa result, plaster, of considerable thickness, extends behind the rebatedseat as at 23 and is supported thereby making secure the plaster in theregion adjacent to the bound 24 and the seat v22. The protection,confinement and retaining characteristics provided by this rabbettedmetal frame are vital elements in the success of myimproved structure.The total contact areas at 22, l2li and 26, between metal and plaster,are such that the almost negligible cohesive, adhesive and elasticproperties of common plaster are utilized but not palpably exceeded. Andsuch shrinkage as may occur is so equalized and distributed as to bescarcely discernible. In effect, a metal-lined rebate is formed on allsides of the `plaster opening, yet it is covered and made invisible bythe closure and the plaster. In constructions of brick, tile, marble,etc., the bound serves as a neat and inconspicuous protective liningfor'the opening.

' The Apanel VI8 is mounted` on this frame by hinges of the invention.These'maybe mounted on any one of the four sides of the frame. Figures6, '7, 10 and' 11 show modified forms of frame, in two-piececonstruction. In each of these forms, the rebated seat 22 for theclosure, with its thin edged bounding `rim 24', may be formedindependently of the Vinner sub-frame of the box, and be secured theretoin any suitable manner. Because they closure seat and rim in these formsmay be readily and accurately fitted to a particular closure element,and because the seat element thus formed lends itself to variouseiective ways of attachment to a sub-frame, I consider the two-,piececonstruction preferable to a one-piece structure under certainconditions. As shown in Figure 11, the rabbeted seat 22', with'its rim24', is separate from the sub-frame until completely shaped, after whichit may be secured, as by welding. to the sub-frame.V In its separatestate, it may be mitre-cut easily at delsired locations, and `be bent orwrapped about the particular door, panel, etc., which is to seat inthe'rabbet. Or the wrapping and tting may be about a template Qr replicaof the closure element. In-this mannerthe relatively light-weight metalof the seat and rim conveniently and accurately may be formed to meetspecific conditions; and any desired heavier and more rugged sub-framemay be combined therewith for lending needed strength and rigidity.

It should be noted that the mitre-cuts do not extend through therim 24but leave this element continuous at the corners. Of course, at thelocation of joinder of ends of the wrapped piece, a reasonably carefulsplicing is necessary in order to get a substantially invisible joint.This may be accomplished by welding or brazing, followed by grinding tomake the corner match the other three.

In the two-piece constructions, the sub-frame can be varied to suit thesize and severity of conditions of a particular installation; yet theseat and visible rim parts of frame may be such as to maintain a highstandard of neatness and efficiency. And, due to permissible extremelightness of weight of metal in the shape, brass, bronze or other metal,of two'ounces per running foot, more or less, for example, may be usedat minimum extra cost. And this may be plated economically, if desired.

Figure 8 shows another modied form of frame which will be found to havemerit and advantage under certain conditions. The bound 24" and thesub-frame 26 being in the same plane, make mitre-cutting and formingcomparatively easy. And the curved portion 2lia is adapted for receivingand maintaining a clip on a closure element, as illustrated in Figure14.

Figure 9 shows a structure in which the bound 24" is a simple,independent member which can be bent or wrapped to iit a particulardoor. It serves to limit the plaster and permits neat and versatilearchitectural treatments around the panel or door.

If suitably light-weight metal is employed for the single piece framesof Figures 1 5, the described method of forming and fitting a frame bywrapping it about its closure element may be employed to advantage.

The practicability of my disclosed frame structures in connection withopenable closures is dependent upon theprovision of means for mountingand controlling the panel without intruding upon the adjacent wallstructure.

V,I provideV such ymeans in the form of hinges, and alsoin the form ofcam-clips. My improved hinge may comprise one or more pairs of ybasemembers 3D, 32 `which may be sirnilar in form. Member 30 is mounted onthe lower side of box 26, and has extent inward. It may be secured inplace bybeing welded to the box; or

it mightl be riveted or otherwise secured. The

portion thereof which lies vagainst the box may be a horizontal planefoot 30 from which an integral plane plate or wing portionv 3| risesvertically to provide a place Yfor attachment of connecting elements ofthe hinge as at`40. The plate portion 3| also, as herein disclosed, hasa controlling cam slot 34 for a purpose which later will appear. Theother base member 32 is secured in a like manner on the inside face ofpanel I8, suitably spaced from the lower edge of the panel, Its verticalWing plate 33'projects from foot 32' and has the cam slot 36 forcontrolling the panel movements. v The two base member plates 3|, 33 areconnected together through a series of suspension links 38. All of theselinks may be identical in form, but they are arranged in two groups,individuals of one group alternating with individuals of the othergroup. In Figure 4, four such links are represented, two in each group,this number being a matter of choice.

Each link 38 preferably will be a plane element stamped of sheet metal,having three pivotal points:l Two pivotal points of each link 38preferably are at opposite ends of the link; and the intervening stampedstock rises to the third pivotal point, so that the link has a'curved orangular form. As represented each linkis relatively broad in thevicinity of its central pivot point, becoming narrower toward each end.

In one group, each link 38 has its one end, here called the inner end,pivoted, as at 40, to a part of the vertical wing 3| of base member 30,and

has its other end slidably pinned and pivoted at,r

42 in the cam slot 36 of the hinge'basemember 32. Y The links 38 of theother group are reversely connected to the panel with a fixed pivot 44on the vertical wing 32 and with their pin at the other end slidablypivoted at 45 in the cam slot 3,4 of member 30. The central pivotalpoint 46 is common to all of the links and is a floating ltransvere pinproviding for relative rotation of the links.

The cam slots 34, 36 are designed to permit panel I8 to seat in therabbeted' portion 22 of the frame, with the hinges on the inside andcompletely concealed. Any suitable means may be provided for securingthe panel in closed position, such'as the rotatable two-way cam 48interiorly on the panel which may be engagedrbehind lug 50 on the frame,by turning the screw head 52 at the face of the panel. Y C

In opening the panel, the cam slots 34, 36, acting through links 38,cause the initial movement to be principally a swinging of pin 46 aboutpivot VMl, which is a movement nearly perpendicular to Affeature 'ofimportance resides in forming those hinge pins which requireaspacingwasher between links with one spacing washer. integral or xed onthe pin, thereby to provide a stabilizing factor or agency at thepivots, preventing side play and wabbling.

It will be observed that stresses incident to the weight and movementofthe panel are transmitted through the relatively long base member 26to the inner portion ofthe frame; and that no appreciable stress isimposed on the rabbet flange 22, 24,nor on the surrounding plaster.

Under certain conditions it may be desirable or necessary to employremovable closures instead of the hinged closures heretofore described.For such a case I provide a cam-slip type of panel securing andcontrolling means, such asis illustrated in Figure 14.

Usual clips, dowels, hooks, etc., which y have been consideredsatisfactory for prior frame constructions Vare inadequate andimpracticable for use with my improved frames. Such devices logicallyare located at the bottom of the closure element in' order that thepanel may be removed and replaced with greater ease and safety thanvother- Wise. But the rim member of my frame is too delicate to carry theload of a heavy panel without yielding. It is therefore imperativethat/the iinish-frame and the contiguous plaster be entirely relieved ofthe weight of the panel, and be free from distorting stresses vduringits movements.

The present invention makes use of pairs of concentric clips (Figure 14)whose arcs are struck from an imaginary center 8| so placed that thepanel will clear as it leaves and re-enters .its housing, and so thatthe bottom of the door will be drawn Well into its rebate for closeseating. It is also an advantage to work out the center of curvature ofthe clips Y so that the upper and lower clipscan -be made identical.These clips deliver all weight to the sub-frame and relieve the finishwall.

One element 80 of the clip is secured interiorly to the sub-framestructure and reaches out to- .ward the closure seat. The other element82 of the clip is secured to the inner face of the closure element andreaches in toward the element 80. Each of the elements-.80, 82 has itsreaching portion arcuate in form, and the element 82 is adapted to rideover element 80 when removing or inserting the closure.

Although these clips are particularly .well adapted for use with myimproved frames, they will be found useful and advantageous inconnection with other types-of frame.

It should be noted that my frame construction provides a continuous seaton all four sides `of the panel or door; and that neither the hinges northe clips require any cutting or interruption of this seat. When aneffective cam lock or-catch is. used on one jamb and the presenthingesor clips are used -on the opposite jamb, the result should be apractically airtight or gastight-in stallation. When it is realized thatevery point of air leakage in a vertical wall will in time occasiondiscoloration of the wall the importance of tight and complete seatingbecomes apparent.

The hinges can be applied tothe framewith tap screws so that the doorandhinges can beremoved if required. This is a reason for not burying thehinges in the wall construction, inaccessible in emergency. The hingealso -avoids the piercing or cutting and weakening of they frame. Inaddition, my hinge obviates the necessity of boxing- -inor segregatingthe moving hinge from the .wall construction; .inter-action here .wouldA. be mutually destructive. In my improved frame construction and inother thin, plate-type door frame .designs itis. obvious that any boxtoenclose the hinge must lie too close to the face of the wall to bestructurally. sound.

Figure 14 illustrates also a plaster inter-lock whereby any tendency. ofthe plaster to crackor pull away from the frame may be ,effectivelycounteracted. Thepart 84 preferably is .of a readily :bendable metalwherebythe part 86 may be. adjusted for, different thicknessesofplaster.

Although` my ,improved hinge has been described, principally .in itslapplication to Wall panels, it may be employed forv cabinet doors,

andeven for doors of buildings. `Figures 12 and 13 illustrate suchanwembodiment in which the hinge base member 62 secured to the casing.may be the sameas those. heretoforedescribed. Theotherbasemember willbein two parts66, 68, each..secured to thedoor 69. adjacent. to avcutout'ltherein, as seen in Figure 13. All. of the links -38' extend.between these two members .65, 68. The action of this hinge is thesameas for the panel hinges.

I claim t as my invention:

l. A lhinge foranopenableclosure element for a wall opening, comprisinga vpair of links,4 each reaching yto .the closure element from vastationary interior .wall ofv the. opening; lsaidlinks being mid-pivotedtogether, and each having. a terminalixed pivotal connection and aterminal sliding pivoted connection, one.of.which connections, of eachlink, is tothe said interior wall of .thevopeningf and the other ofwhich-is to the said closure element; and a-pair of cams, one xed onsaid interior wall, for controlling the travel of the terminalfslidingpivotal connection of one said link, andthe other fixed on said closureelement, for controlling the travel of the terminal sliding pivotalconnection of` the other said link; said cams having eachl a camfslot,and the saidV slotshaving` curved terminalv portions in which the saidsliding pivotal connections respectively and simultaneously travelduring initial opening--movement of theclosure element, the'curvaturesofvsaidA terminal portions of slots being in directions respectivelyaway from, and towardthe planes of said interiorwall and said y closureelement.

2. A hinge for an openable-closure element closely conned at its-edges.Within a Wall opening, comprising a'pair-of approximately L-shapedlinks, each reaching to the closure element from a stationary interiorWall of thesopening; nsaid links having the junctures of their L.armsvmidpivoted together, and each having a fixed pivotal connection at oneL-arm terminal and a sliding pivotal connection atthez'other L-armterminal, one of. which terminalconnections, of each link, is to saidinterior wall ofthe opening; and a pair of cams, one fixed on saidinterior Wall,` for controlling the travel of the terminal slidingpivotal connection of one said link, and the other xed on said closureelement, for controlling the travel of ther terminal sliding pivotalconnection of the other said link; said cams having each a cam slotwhose extremities are curved in diverse directions relative to the planeof the support on which the particular cam is mounted, and said kcamslots being arranged on their respective supports with their saidcurvatures coordinated for the said sliding pivotal connections totravel simultaneously in diverse directions relative to the planesrespectively of said interior Wall and said closure element.

3. A hinge for an openable closure element for a wall opening, in whichthe closure element extends past the plane of an interior Wall of saidopening at which the hinge is secured; said hinge comprising a pair oflinks, each reaching to the closure element from said interior Wall ofthe opening; said links being mid-pivoted together, and each having aterminal fixed pivotal connection and a terminal sliding pivotalconnection, one of which connections, of each link, is to the saidinterior wall of the openingand the other of which is to the saidclosure element; and a pair of cams, one fixed on said interior Wall,for

controlling the travel of the terminal sliding pivotal connection of onesaid link, and the other Xed on said closure element, for controllingthe travel of the terminal sliding pivotal connection of the other saidlink; said cams having each a cam slot With terminal portions curved inreverse direction, and the said curved portions of one cam being thesame as said curved portions of the other cam, but said cams beingarranged with their corresponding curves at opposite ends of the camslots, whereby the said sliding pivotal connections simultaneouslynegotiate portions of the cam slots Which do not correspond as tocurvature.

WALTER. R. WAY.

